Janitor and cleaning safety code
A copy of this guidance can be downloaded as a Microsoft Word 97 document - here
1. INTRODUCTION
As an employer the University has a statutory duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of its employees and others who may work on or visit its premises.
The purpose of this Code is to provide cleaning and domestic staff with information on emergency procedures and guidance on safe working practices.
All members of staff are expected to co-operate with the University by complying with this Code and to contribute to safe and healthy working conditions.
2. UNIVERSITY HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY STATEMENT
In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 the University has prepared a Health and Safety Policy statement affecting all staff. It is important that you read this policy. Copies are available from Personnel Services, College Gate.
Local instructions on procedures for raising the alarm, summoning the fire brigade and evacuating the premises are posted throughout the University. All persons should act in accordance with these instructions. The following general procedure applies to all premises.
In the event of a Fire
- Immediately operate the nearest fire alarm point. If none shout "FIRE".
- Call the Fire Brigade - Dial 9-999
State precise location of fire; give your name and telephone number;
wait for confirmation of message. - ON HEARING THE ALARM immediately evacuate the building by way of the nearest safe exit.
- DO NOT use lifts as the power may be cut off.
- DO NOT interfere with mains supply of gas and electricity.
- Evacuation Routine
Each member of staff should ensure that the following procedure is carried out in their own areas:-
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where safe to do so, stop machines; shut off electricity locally (other than lighting); close windows; close but do not lock doors;
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do not stop to collect personal belongings;
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assemble in the designated area and await the arrival of the Fire Brigade;
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Supervisors should check that all staff who reported for work are accounted for.
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a nominated person should meet the Fire Brigade and report any missing persons along with details and location of the fire.
DO NOT re-enter the building until the Fire Brigade indicate that it is safe to do so.
Fire is probably the major hazard in the University. It can break out almost anywhere and it can affect everyone. In most instances the cause of the outbreak can be attributed to carelessness and untidy practices.
Well organised and carefully maintained premises are not only safer from fire but are also more pleasant places in which to work and are less likely to be the scene of accidents.
Except for a few special circumstances, fire can only break out when a source of ignition comes into contact with some combustible materials, which may be either solid, liquid, gas or vapour. If all sources of ignition are brought under strict control the danger of fire is greatly reduced.
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General Fire Prevention:
Cleanliness and tidiness throughout and around the premises are necessary preliminaries to seeing that other safety requirements are properly carried out.General refuse and process waste should not be allowed to accumulate as this is the most likely cause of fire.
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Means of Escape
All persons should familiarise themselves with the escape routes from the rooms and premises which they normally use. It is essential that the means of escape from all the buildings are kept clear from obstruction. Combustible material should never be stored in corridors or stairwells. Fire doors play an important role in preventing the spread of fire and smoke, consequently such doors must not be propped or wedged open. -
Fire Doors
If you must wedge a fire door open for cleaning purposes, ensure that the wedges are removed and the doors closed before you leave the area. Any fire doors found open, with no-one in attendance, should be closed immediately. - Smoking
Smoking is banned in all University accommodation other than rooms specifically designated as smoking areas. - Fire Fighting
Lives and safety always come first so no-one is required to fight a fire. However, if the fire is small and can easily be extinguished use the portableextinguishers or hose reels provided in the corridors. It is, however, essential that you know the correct appliance for the type of fire. From 1997 all new extinguishers will be coloured red.
Note: Water extinguishers should never be used on fires involving electricity.
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it is dangerous to do so;
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there is a possibility that your exit route may be cut off;
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the fire is not extinguished after using two portable extinguishers,
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there are gas cylinders or flammable liquids threatened by the fire.
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Fire Drills
Practice fire drills should be held twice per year in all University premises.
5. ACCIDENTS
Administer First Aid if within your capabilities or seek assistance from a qualified First Aider. For any serious injury Telephone 9.999 informing the Emergency Services of the location, type and seriousness of the injuries and the number of casualties.
First Aid Courses are run by the University Occupational Health Service. Enquiries: Telephone Ext. 2752.
Accident Report Forms should be completed and sent to the University Safety office as soon as practicable. The pink copy should be given to the School/Unit/Residence Safety Co-ordinator, who will undertake any investigation into the accident and take whatever action deemed necessary.
Fatalities and major accidents/injuries must be reported immediately to the University Safety Adviser who will then notify the Health and Safety Executive.
Copies of the Accident and Dangerous Occurrence/Near Miss report forms are available on the Environmental, Health and Safety Services Web Site or from the local Unit Safety Co-ordinator.
6. FIRST AID
6.1 Principles of First Aid:
Keep Calm, Assess the Situation, Make Safe, then administer First Aid.
First Aid Boxes are located throughout the University, become familiar
with their locations and contents as soon as possible.
6.2 Emergency Situation:
NEVER GIVE A CASUALTY ANYTHING TO EAT OR DRINK.
CASUALTY - Not breathing and without pulse -
Dial 9.999 and await instructions from Emergency Services.
If familiar with resuscitation techniques, commence C.P.R.
CASUALTY - With pulse but not breathing -
Dial 9.999 and await instructions from Emergency Services.
If familiar with artificial ventilation commence same.
CASUALTY - Unconscious but breathing and with a pulse -
check that there is no debris in their mouth obstructing their air-way. Turn casualty over on to their side, keeping head tilted back and jaw forward to maintain open air-way.
Dial 9.999 and inform the Emergency Services.
CASUALTY - Bleeding - wear gloves if available.
Large Wounds - Expose the wound and apply pressure directly to the bleeding part, with a pad or fingers, pressing the edges of the wound together if it is gaping. Also lie the casualty down and raise the injured limb maintaining the pressure on the wound for at least 10 minutes. If the pad becomes saturated with blood, apply a fresh one on top of the old one.
DO NOT REMOVE DRESSINGS ONCE IN PLACE.
Dial 9.999 for medical help.
Small Wounds - Wash with water and, if necessary, apply a small dressing.
CASUALTY - With suspected broken bones -
casualty may complain of pain, swelling, deformity of the limb.
DO NOT MOVE CASUALTY UNLESS HE/SHE IS IN DANGER.
Dial 9.999 and inform the Emergency Services.
CASUALTY - with Electric Shock -
Do NOT touch the casualty until you have switched off, or disconnected, the supply of electricity.
Dial 9.999 and inform the Emergency Services.
CASUALTY - with Burns and Scalds -
Place the burnt area in cold water for at lwast 10 minutes. Remove watches, jewellery and tight clothing but DO NOT REMOVE ANY CLOTHING STUCK TO THE SKIN AND DO NOT BURST BLISTERS.
Cover the burn with a clean polythene bag, cling-film or non-fluffy dressing. ALL deep burns must receive hospital attention.
CASUALTY - in Shock -
Shock is a serious condition which may develop after serious injury. The casualty will appear pale, cold, clammy with fast shallow breathing, rapid weak pulse.
If possible lay the casualty down low and raise their legs high.
Dial 9.999 and inform the Emergency Services.
6.3. Strains and Sprains
Rest the injured limb in the most comfortable position, apply a wrapped ice-pack, or cold compress, to the affected part for at least 20 minutes. Compress the injured part with a thick bandage and then elevate the limb.
6.4. Chemical Splash to the Eye
If available, irrigate affected eye with eye-wash. If not available flush affected eye with clean tap water for at least 10 minutes.
Dial 9.999 and inform the Emergency Services.
Slips and Trips are the largest group of accidents experienced by cleaners. Most can be prevented by taking common-sense measures.
Wear suitable foot-wear, NO high-heels, sandals, slippers, etc. Do not run, walk, keeping aware of any obstacle in your route e.g. protruding drawers, machine cables, wet surfaces, etc. Also have one hand free when using stairs. Never work above head height without using suitable equipment. If using a step-ladder ensure that it is placed on a flat surface, also get a colleague to hold the ladder steady as you work.
Never clutter corridors with buckets, mops, cables, etc. so that others may fall over them.
Use the correct materials for the job - slippery floors, burns, fires, etc. can be caused by the improper use of materials - check if you are unsure about a product's suitability. Do NOT mix any products together or change products without consulting your Supervisor. Make others aware of your activities - use warning signs etc.
Used cloths, if soaked in polish or detergent, should be discarded. Always store solvents in an appropriate metal cabinet.
Safe Methods of Working
Be aware that unsafe methods can, or could, cause injury to yourself or others.
Always display warning notices if using liquids on a traffic area. When wet mopping ensure that others either cannot enter the area or split the area in half allowing others to walk safely on a dry area.
Be aware of the hazard of trailing leads - try to keep cables adjacent to the wall, never allow a cable to cross a corridor into another room.
DO NOT dry dusters, cloths, mop heads by using direct heat e.g. over gas or electric heaters.
DO NOT block any escape routes, hose reels, fire extinguishers with cleaning equipment.
Other accidents may be caused by:
Electrical Equipment - injuries may result from:
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repairing electrical equipment yourself;
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allowing defective equipment to be used - Do NOT use multi-point electrical adaptors;
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using machinery where the extension cable is of a smaller diameter than of the machine cable;
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stretching a cable or allowing the rotating part of any machine to come in contact with the cable.
8. LIFTING AND MOVING LOADS SAFELY
Before you undertake a task:
Examine the load, plan the job by deciding, IN ADVANCE, how you are going to hold the load and, if necessary, use a mechanical aid or get assistance.
Use your leg muscles NOT your back to lift safely.
Stand as close to the load as you can.
Feet apart, bend your knees, keeping your back in a natural posture, grip the load firmly.
As you straighten your legs, raise your head and hold the load close to your body.
Never twist, whilst lifting use your feet to turn into the direction you wish to go to.
Further advice on Manual Handling can be obtained from your Supervisor or from Environmental, Health and Safety Services.
Use the correct cleaning cloth for the task - keep any cloths used for toilet cleaning separate.
After use - wash and dry cloths - do NOT leave them wet or dirty overnight.
NEVER use spit to polish.
Keep sinks and wash basins clean at all times.
Do NOT use wash-hand basins for washing out mops or cloths.
Ensure that an adequate supply of soap and paper towels is available at every wash-basin.
Waste Disposal
Do NOT overfill refuse sacks.
When full, securely tie the refuse sack.
Do NOT put any sharp objects into plastic refuse sacks.
Sharp metal or plastic, broken crockery, glass, light bulbs, etc. should either be placed in a designated bin or placed in a cardboard box marked "Broken Glass".
Non-disposable refuse bins must be emptied frequently and then thoroughly washed out.
10. CORRECT USE OF CLEANING MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
10.1 Use of Materials
Most cleaning materials are safe when correctly used. It is only when manufacturers' instructions are disregarded that accidents occur. Before using any cleaning materials it is important that you read the instructions on its use and the consequences of mis-use.
Note: Where a COSHH risk assessment has been produced the control measures should be strictly adhered to.
Never apply bleach to a toilet bowl, basin or container without checking that any other cleaning product has been removed. The result can be the production of the hazardous gas chlorine. Any person affected requires immediate medical attention.
10.2 Equipment
Do not use any electrical or mechanical equipment unless you have been trained in its use and are authorised to use it. Care must always be taken to check flexes before using any vacuums or polishers etc. Check that plugs are intact, with no wires showing. Flexes as far as possible should not be allowed to jam in doors which could damage the insulation. Report to your supervisor any faulty equipment or other item likely to cause an accident.
Cleaning machines should be unplugged from the mains when not in use.
On no account should you attempt to repair faulty equipment or interfere with electrical connections.
11. HAZARDOUS AREAS AND WARNING SIGNS
11.1 Laboratories
Throughout the various laboratories within the University certain areas are designated with warning signs as being hazardous. Details of common hazard warning signs are given in the following section. Never enter these areas without the permission of the Safety Co-ordinator or the Laboratory Supervisor.
Do not touch or open any container which has a notice on it warning of radiation danger, poison, corrosive, bio-hazard, etc.
Do not clean laboratory sinks unless permission has been given by the Safety Co-ordinator or Laboratory Supervisor.
Do not touch or move any equipment in a laboratory without permission
Do not wipe up any spillage until it has been reported safe to do so. If you should accidently break a flask or bottle or any equipment in a laboratory, make no attempt to clean up but report the mishap to your Supervisor who, in turn, should inform the Safety Co-ordinator.
Do not touch chemicals, reagent bottles, gas cylinders, etc.
Be very careful when emptying waste bins. It is the duty of the laboratory personnel to ensure the waste is safe to be disposed of. Never handle laboratory waste without adequate protection. If in doubt, check with your Supervisor who, in turn, will seek advice from the Safety Co-ordinator.
Personal belongings such as handbags, shopping bags, scarves, etc., should not be brought into laboratory areas. The consumption of food and drink, including sweets, is forbidden in laboratories as is smoking and, under no circumstances, should you apply cosmetics in laboratory areas.
11.2 Warning Signs
In science buildings certain rooms will have a sign or pictogram on the door. These signs indicate that the room has a particular hazard not normally found in other areas.
Cleaners should, therefore, never enter rooms which have the following signs on the doors, unless they have the permission of the Safety Co-ordinator or the Laboratory Supervisor.
RADIO-ACTIVITY
The trefoil sign is an indication that radio-active chemicals are used or stored in the area or that radiation is produced. The sign does not indicate the level of radio-activity, only its presence. In the vast majority of cases the level of the activity is so low that no hazard is present, providing one works in a sensible and careful manner. If levels of activity are high, only specified persons will be allowed into the area.
BIO-HAZARD
This rather unusual sign indicates that biological material which could be hazardous to man or animals is being used or stored in this area. There are very few areas in the University where material is handled which has a serious threat to the health of employees. Where these areas do exist they will be adequately sign-posted and strict controls will be in force as to use and entry.
In other areas where bio-hazards exist, the risk is low provided that common sense work practices are followed.
LASER LIGHT
This sign indicates that laser light is being generated in the room or area. Laser light can do serious damage to the eyes. Do not enter any designated laser area with this sign without permission being granted for each occasion you have to enter the room.
In the previous list your attention was drawn to the various signs on doors indicating particular hazards found in certain laboratories or stores.
Most laboratories and stores do not have these signs, but all laboratories will have within them chemicals which are regarded as hazardous. Nowadays it is a legal requirement that all chemicals are labelled to indicate their associated hazards.
POISONS / TOXIC
The skull and crossbones indicates that the chemical is poisonous either by mouth, by breathing it in or by absorption through the skin.
CORROSIVE SUBSTANCES
This sign indicates that the substance is corrosive and, if splashed on the skin or clothing, etc. could cause serious damage, e.g. sulphuric acid, caustic soda.
FLAMMABLE MATERIALS
This sign indicates that the substance is highly flammable and should be stored in a safe manner away from naked flames, etc.
OXIDISING AGENTS
This sign, which is similar to the previous sign, indicates that the substance is a powerful oxidising agent. This means if it is mixed with certain chemical and substances a condition could be created where a fire or explosion could occur.
EXPLOSIVES
This sign indicates that the chemical is explosive.
HARMFUL / IRRITANTS
This sign has a dual purpose; it indicates that the chemical is either an irritant or it is harmful in some other way.
The rule should always be, whatever the sign, treat all chemicals with respect and always handle them in the manner prescribed.
In conclusion, there are bound to be areas and problems which this Code has not touched but it will serve as a guide as to how you should carry out your duties safely.
If something occurs which you feel should be covered in this Code or requires more specialised treatment, please discuss it with your Supervisor who, in turn, should inform the University Safety Adviser. A free and honest flow of information at all levels is of paramount importance in ensuring a safe working environment.